A cock who had often fought with another cock, and been beaten, requested a hawk to act as umpire in the contest. 457 the latter conceived hopes, if both should come, of devouring him who should first present himself. Shortly after, when he saw that they had come to plead their cause, he seized the one who first brought his case into court. The victim clamorously exclaimed: "'tis not I that should be punished, but the one who took to flight;" The bird replied: "Do not suppose that you can this day escape my talons; it is just that you should now yourself endure the treacheries you were planning for another." 
He who often cogitates upon the death of others, little knows what sad fate he may be preparing for himself. 